Appalachian Power to use helicopters to maintain some rights of way

CHARLESTON – Appalachian Power has announced the power line rights of ways in West Virginia that will be maintained by applying herbicides by helicopter on or about June 3.

“The company generally makes aerial maintenance applications only in less populated areas where terrain and accessibility make it difficult for ground-based crews to safely clear rights of way,” John Ertz, senior utility forester, said.

Rights of way in populated areas, as well as near parks, ponds and other sensitive areas, are maintained by other means.

Herbicides used by AEP have been registered for use on rights of way by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDoA), Ertz said. Herbicides to be used are 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl, fosamine, triclopyr, aminocyclopyrachlor, aminopyralid and picloram. Each has been extensively tested by the manufacturer, colleges and governmental and independent research laboratories.

Rigid EPA and WVDoA restrictions and regulations are carefully observed by AEP contractors in applying herbicides. All areas to be treated are visually checked by helicopter pilots in advance to verify the location of any sensitive areas and to ensure that people or domestic animals are not visible in the area to be maintained. All applications are made by contractors who are certified applicators. Questions concerning these herbicides may be addressed to the EPA and the WVDoA.

Right-of-way maintenance agreements between AEP and landowners are available to landowners who prefer to accept responsibility for clearing the right of way crossing their property in lieu of aerial application of herbicides.

The agreement compensates the landowner by an amount equivalent to the cost of aerial herbicide application, provided the work meets AEP’s specifications.

Persons who have questions about the program or who want to alert the company to the

location of sensitive areas near power lines, such as springs, wells, streams, lakes, ponds, orchards, crop areas, gardens, pastures, meadows, year-round dwellings, public recreation areas and Christmas tree plantations, should also contact the company. To prevent any misunderstanding about the location of the sensitive areas being reported, the number of the nearest pole or tower should be provided. Numbers are posted on utility poles and on one leg of utility towers.

After the maintenance program begins, a 24-hour telephone service at the above number will provide information daily on locations scheduled for maintenance.

Complaints about possible damage resulting from herbicide applications should be made by contacting AEP at its toll-free number or the above addresses. Complaints also may be directed to the WVDoA, Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit, which can be reached in Charleston at 304-558-2209.

Lines scheduled for maintenance locally include:

— Boone County:

• Culloden - Wyoming 765 kV – a transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Culloden Station off of James River Turnpike in Culloden and running south, passing the mid-points of Yawkey and Woodville and ending near Hewett along Route 17.

— Lincoln County:

• Stone Branch - Harts 34.5 kV distribution circuit – a distribution line on wood poles beginning at the head of Big Branch, running west and ending at Francis Creek.

• Culloden - Wyoming 765 kV – a transmission line on steel structures beginning at the Culloden Station off of James River Turnpike in Culloden and running south, passing the mid-points of Yawkey and Woodville and ending near Hewett along Route 17.

— Logan County:

• Stone Branch - Harts 34.5 kV distribution circuit – a distribution line on wood poles beginning at the mouth of Stone Branch Hollow and running southeast, passing by Julia Avenue and ending at the park-and-ride off of U.S. 119 at Chapmanville.

• North Point - Pecks Mill 34.5 kV distribution circuit – a distribution line beginning at Chapmanville and running southeast, passing Rhonda Drive and Fowler Branch and ending at Phico.

• Stone Branch - Big Creek 34.5 kV distribution circuit – a distribution line on wood poles beginning at the head of Stone Branch Hollow, running east over the hill and ending at the head of Vickers Branch.

• Stone Branch - Chapmanville 12 kV distribution circuit – a distribution line on wood poles beginning at the park-and-ride off of U.S. 119 in Chapmanville, running north over the mountain and ending at Kanawha Branch.

• Coalwood - Jim Branch 88 kV – a transmission line on wood poles and metal towers beginning at the Coalwood Station near Coalwood, running southwest and ending at the Jim Branch Station near Jim Branch.

• Dry Fork - Jim Branch 88 kV – a transmission line on wood poles and metal towers beginning at the Jim Branch Station near Coalwood, running southwest and ending at the Dry Fork Station near Bartley.

• Iaeger - Jim Branch 46 kV – a transmission line on wood poles beginning at the Jim Branch Station near Coalwood and running northwest, passing upper Crane Creek and Apple Grove and ending at the Iaeger Station near Iaeger.

• Baileysville - Garden Creek 138 kV – a transmission line on wood poles beginning at the W.Va.-Va. state line near Paynesville and running northeast, passing near Beartown, Apple Grove, Sandy Huff and Pad Fork, and ending at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville.

— Mingo County:

• Dingess - Dingess 12 kV distribution circuit – a distribution line on wood poles beginning at the old golf course on the east fork of Twelve Pole and running northwest, passing the mouths of Mcloud Branch, Mare Branch and Alex Branch and ending at Andy Branch.

— Wyoming County:

• Bolt Tap 138 kV – a transmission line on wood poles beginning on top of Kopperston Mountain, running east and ending at the Bolt Station along the Bolt-Glen Rogers road.

• Baileysville - Garden Creek 138 kV – a transmission line on wood poles beginning at the W.Va.-Va. state line near Paynesville and running northeast, passing near Beartown, Apple Grove, Sandy Huff and Pad Fork, and ending at the Baileysville Station near Baileysville.